CORTLAND, N.Y. (November 8, 2023) - Graduate Lynda Farinella scored the Ducks' lone goal, but it wasn't enough as the #1 Stevens Institute of Technology field hockey team fell to No. 13 SUNY Cortland 3-1 on Wednesday afternoon in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

The Ducks finish the season 17-3, seeing their program record 14 game winning streak come to an end in their final game of the year. The Ducks made the NCAA Tournament after beating DeSales 1-0 in the MAC Freedom Championship game this past Saturday. Cortland's (18-1) season will continue this Saturday as they visit Messiah in the next round.

On the first shot of the game by either team, it was the Ducks who converted their attempt to score the first goal of the game at the 6:49 mark. Farinella was able to score off of a deflection after the Ducks took a penalty corner. MAC Freedom Rookie of the Year, first-year Sophia Cozza, assisted on the play. After that, Cortland took more control of the game, having more possessions and shots, but the score remained in favor of the Ducks at the break.

Five minutes out of the break, Cortland had an attempt that was stuffed by sophomore Lili Wierzbicki, but the rebound went right to the Red Dragons, who were able to put the ball in the goal to tie things up. Wierzbicki made five more saves in the third quarter to keep the game tied at one. Still tied at one in the fourth, Cortland had four attempts stopped in a 20 second span before finally finding the back of the net to take their first lead of the game. In the 57th minute, the Red Dragons added another on a breakaway to seal the 3-1 victory and advance Cortland to the next round.

Top Performers

• Farinella's goal was her team leading 14th of the season and the 29th of her decorated career.
• Cozza's assist was her team leading ninth of the year and of her career.
• Wierzbicki made a career high 12 saves.
• Stevens had six shots with two landing on target.

The Opponent

• Jamie Snyder scored twice while Gianna Trunfio added the other.
• Emma Morgan made one save.
• The Red Dragons had 21 shots with 15 going on goal.